Starbucks sells a lot of coffee beans. Like, an absurd amount. Walk into any grocery store and there’s an entire section of Starbucks bags staring at you.
But which ones are actually worth buying? I’ve tried most of them over the years—some because I was curious, others because they were on sale. Here’s my honest ranking of every Starbucks whole bean coffee I’ve tasted.
A Note on Starbucks Roasting
Starbucks tends to roast dark. Even their medium roasts are darker than what most specialty roasters would call medium. If you prefer light, bright, acidic coffee, Starbucks probably isn’t for you.
That said, they’re consistent. A bag of Pike Place in Seattle tastes the same as a bag in Miami. For a company operating at their scale, that’s impressive.
Top Tier: Actually Good
1. Sumatra (Dark Roast)
This is Starbucks doing what Starbucks does best—bold, earthy, low-acid coffee. The Sumatran beans are wet-hulled, which creates that distinctive earthy, almost herbal flavor.
Tasting notes: Earth, herbs, dark chocolate, full body. Perfect for French press.
If you like dark, heavy coffee with zero brightness, this is the best Starbucks option.
2. Caffè Verona (Dark Roast)
Originally created for a Seattle restaurant in the 1970s, Verona is a blend designed to pair with chocolate. It’s sweet for a dark roast, with cocoa notes and a smooth finish.
Tasting notes: Dark cocoa, caramel, roasted sweetness.
This is my pick for espresso-based drinks. Makes excellent lattes.
3. Ethiopia (Single Origin, Medium)
One of the few Starbucks offerings with actual complexity. Ethiopian beans bring bright, fruity notes that survive even Starbucks’ roasting style.
Tasting notes: Citrus, berries, floral hints.
If you want to try something different from Starbucks, this is the one. It actually tastes like specialty coffee.
Middle Tier: Solid Choices
4. Pike Place Roast (Medium)
The flagship. Pike Place is what you get when you order “coffee” at Starbucks. It’s smooth, balanced, and completely inoffensive.
Tasting notes: Cocoa, toasted nuts, mild.
Nothing exciting, but reliable. Good for households where different people have different preferences.
5. House Blend (Medium)
Similar to Pike Place but slightly nuttier. This was Starbucks’ original blend before Pike Place became the default.
Tasting notes: Nuts, mild cocoa, balanced.
Functionally interchangeable with Pike Place for most people.
6. Komodo Dragon (Dark Roast)
A blend of Indonesian beans—Sumatra, Sulawesi, Papua New Guinea. Earthy and herbal like Sumatra, but with a bit more complexity.
Tasting notes: Earth, herbs, spice, fresh tobacco.
If you like Sumatra but want something slightly different, try this.
7. Guatemala Antigua (Single Origin, Medium)
One of their more approachable single origins. Guatemalan beans tend toward chocolate and subtle spice, which fits Starbucks’ roasting style.
Tasting notes: Cocoa, subtle lemon, soft spice.
Good gateway into single-origin coffee if you’re usually a blend drinker.
Lower Tier: Proceed with Caution
8. French Roast (Dark)
This is very dark. Smoky, intense, and borderline burnt. Some people love it. I find it one-dimensional.
Tasting notes: Smoke, char, bitter chocolate.
Only recommended if you specifically want something that tastes strongly roasted.
9. Veranda Blend (Blonde/Light)
Starbucks’ attempt at light roast. It’s lighter than their other offerings but still darker than most specialty roasters’ light roasts.
Tasting notes: Mellow, soft cocoa, slightly sour.
I wanted to like this more than I did. It’s not bad, but it doesn’t showcase what light roast can be.
10. Espresso Roast (Dark)
Designed for espresso, but honestly, Caffè Verona is better for that purpose. Espresso Roast is just generically dark.
Tasting notes: Caramel, smoke, molasses.
Not bad, but not distinctive enough to recommend over Verona.
Skip These
Italian Roast
Even darker than French Roast. At this point, you’re just tasting carbon. I don’t understand who this is for.
Most Flavored Options
Starbucks’ flavored beans (vanilla, caramel, etc.) taste artificial. If you want flavored coffee, add syrup to regular coffee instead.
Decaf Pike Place
Regular Pike Place is already mild. Decaf Pike Place is basically caffeinated water. If you need decaf, try the Decaf Sumatra instead.
Value Considerations
Starbucks whole bean typically runs $9-12 per 12 oz bag. That’s more expensive than grocery store brands but cheaper than specialty roasters.
Is it worth the price? Compared to Folgers, yes—the quality difference is significant. Compared to a local specialty roaster charging $16-18 per 12 oz, no—you’re better off with the specialty beans.
The sweet spot for Starbucks is convenience and consistency. You can buy it anywhere, you know exactly what you’re getting, and it’s good enough for everyday coffee.
Best Value Hack
Costco sells Starbucks beans in larger bags at significant discounts. If you have a membership and drink Starbucks regularly, this is the move.
Also watch for sales at Target and grocery stores. Starbucks beans go on sale frequently, especially seasonal blends at the end of their season.
My Personal Picks
If I’m buying Starbucks, I reach for Sumatra or Ethiopia. Sumatra for when I want bold, no-nonsense dark coffee. Ethiopia for when I want something more interesting.
For everyday drinking though, I’d rather spend a few dollars more on beans from a local roaster or a specialty online roaster. The quality jump is worth it.
Starbucks is fine. It’s just not where the best coffee lives.